Rotary cutting apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a rotary cutting apparatus which is utilized for cutting or slitting of strip material into increments of a predetermined length. The strip material is moved along a longitudinal path and fed between a lower anvil member and a complementary circular knife. The circular knife is eccentrically mounted for rotation adjacent one end of a rotatable shaft. The circular knife is free to rotate relative to the shaft. A cutting edge of the anvil member and the circular knife cooperate to slit the strip material in a direction transverse of the longitudinal path.

United States Patent Hamilton et a1.

[ Mar. 14, 1972 [54] ROTARY CUTTING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Clarence L. Hamilton, Muncie, lnd.; Jack E. lllutson, Greeneville, Tenn.

[73] Assignee: Ball Corporation, Muncie, 1nd.

[221 Filed: Jan. 7, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 1,165

[52] US. Cl ..83/262, 83/355, 83/592, 83/596, 83/6475, 83/923 [51] Int. Cl ..B23d 25/00 [58] Field of Search ..83/592, 262, 647.5, 923, 596, 83/646, 355, 666, 508, 490, 591, 596, 595

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,944,577 1/1934 Rose ..83/596 X 2,454,241 1 1/1948 Wennerberg 2,500,772 3/1950 Reed 2,692,645 10/1954 Driesch ..83/355 3,104,579 9/1963 Blankenship et al ..83/592 X 3,426,634 2/1969 Richel ..83/646 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,023,947 2/1958 Germany ..83/647.5

Primary Examiner-Frank Tr Yost Attorney-Campbell, Harris 81. ORourke [5 7 ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a rotary cutting apparatus which is utilized for cutting or slitting of strip material into increments of a predetermined length. The strip material is moved along a longitudinal path and fed between a lower anvil member and a complementary circular knife. The circular knife is eccentrically mounted for rotation adjacent one end of a rotatable shaft. The circular knife is free to rotate relative to the shaft. A cutting edge of the anvil member and the circular knife cooperate to slit the strip material in a direction transverse of the longitudinal path.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PMENTEBMMWW 3,648,556

.YNVENTORS CLAW ENCE L. HAMILTON JMCIK E. HUTSON mmws ROTARY CUTTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a rotary cutting apparatus which is particularly adaptable to the cutting of strip material. However, the present invention may also be used in the cutting of rod and wire in addition to the processing of ferrous and nonferrous strip materials.

In the continuous casting of, for example, zinc strip, it is often necessary to trim the edges of such materials. The trimmed edges form long narrow scrap strips. Particularly with respect to zinc scrap material, it is desirable to cut the continuous scrap strips for recharging into a melting furnace. Often, prior art apparatus used for cutting the scrap were problems both from maintenance and excess noise viewpoints. This is particularly true with respect to prior art reciprocating choppers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been found that a rotary cutting apparatus, according to the present invention, reduces both the maintenance problems and the excessive noise problems found with many of the prior art apparatus. The present rotary cutting apparatus uses a combination shearing and slitting action across the width of the strip material rather than the reciprocating chopping action found in many prior art apparatus.

The strip material to be cut is moved along a predetermined longitudinal path. The rotary cutting apparatus, according to the present invention, includes a longitudinally extending main shaft having an axis of rotation. Bearing means are provided for supporting the shaft and means are provided for rotating the shaft. A circular knife member is positioned adjacent one end of the shaft. The circular knife member has a central axis and means are provided for eccentrically mounting the circular knife member with respect to the main shaft wherein the central axis of the circular knife member is parallel to and spaced from the axis of rotation of the shaft.

The circular knife member is free to rotate relative to the shaft and defines a cutting edge adjacent its outer periphery. An anvil member having at least one cutting edge is positioned adjacent to and in a complementary cutting relationship with the cutting edge of the circular knife member.

As the main shaft rotates through each revolution the circular knife member is eccentrically rotated through an upper vertical feed path and through a lower cutting path. During movement along the lower path, the circular knife member moves transversely with respect to the metallic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a plan view of a rotary cutting apparatus, accord ing to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with parts of the apparatus shown in vertical cross section;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and indicating in dashed lines the uppermost vertical position of the circular knife member; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the position of the circular knife member as a metallic strip is being cut and showing in dashed lines another position of the circular knife member after it has moved along its transverse path.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A rotary cutting apparatus according to the present invention is generally indicated in the drawing by the reference number III. The apparatus III is shown in the drawing cutting a continuous length of approximately 1 inch wide zinc scrap strip 11 into approximately 2 inch lengths. One of these lengths of cut zinc scrap is indicated in FIG. 2 by the reference number I2.

In the present embodiment, the rotary cutting apparatus is used in conjunction with a work table M and means for moving the scrap strip, generally indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by III the reference number 15. In the present embodiment, the means 15 for moving the scrap includes a horizontal shaft 16 which mounts a lower drive roll 17. A drive pulley I3 which is driven by a chain or belt 19 is pinned to the shaft I6. A driven roll 20 is mounted above and in complementary relationship with the lower drive roll 17. Metallic strip material, in this embodiment the zinc scrap I1, is fed between the rolls I7 and 20. The rolls I7 and 20 move the scrap Ill toward the rotary cutting apparatus 10 at a predetermined rate of speed. Of course, the present invention is not restricted by the means for moving the scrap which is disclosed in the drawings. Numerous means for moving the scrap along a predetermined path leading to the rotary cutting apparatus 10 may be utilized.

The rotary cutting apparatus I0 includes a longitudinally extending base 23 which mounts bearing supports 24 and 25. Coaxial cylindrical bearings 26 and 27 are located in the upper portions of the supports 24 and 25. The bearings 26 and 27 journal a main shaft 28 which has an axis of rotation indicated by the reference number 29 in FIG. 2.

Means are provided for rotating the main shaft 28. In the present embodiment, the rotating means include a motor 30 mounted adjacent the base 23. The motor 30 has an output drive pulley 31. A driven pulley 32 is pinned to the main shaft 28 and a belt 33 interconnects the pulleys 31 and 32. Other types of rotating means may be utilized to drive the main shaft 28 and still be within the scope of the invention.

In the present embodiment, a flywheel 35 is mounted on the main shaft 28 and is located between the bearing supports 24 and 25. Referring to FIGS. II and 2, a flange 36 is fixably positioned on the outer end of the main shaft 28. Referring to FIG. 2, a circular boss 37 extends outwardly from the flange 36. The boss 37 has a circular outer periphery 38 and defines a central axis indicated in FIG. 2 by the reference number 39. The central axis 39 is parallel to and spaced from the axis of rotation 29 of the main shaft 28. A generally ring-shaped circular knife member 40, having a flat ground outer surface 41 and a mounting hole 42 is mounted on the boss 37. The boss 37 has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the mounting hole 42. While there is very little clearance between the knife member mounting hole 42 and the outer periphery 38 of the boss 37, there is enough clearance to allow the knife member 40 to freely rotate around the central axis 39 relative to the boss 37. The circular knife member 40 includes interchangeable cutting edges 43 and 44.

A washer 45 and a bolt 46 releasably retain the circular knife member 40 on the boss 37 and prevent longitudinal movement of the circular knife member 40 relative to the boss 37. The cutting edge 43 of the knife member 40 rotates in an eccentric path with respect to the axis of rotation 29 of the main shaft 28.

An anvil member 48 is positioned adjacent to and in a complementary cutting relationship with the cutting edge 43 of the circular knife member 40. In the present embodiment, the anvil member is removably mounted on the base 23 by holddowns 49 and 50. The anvil member 48 has a cutting edge 51 which cooperates with the cutting edge 43 of the circular knife member 40. In the present embodiment a generally U-shaped guide member 52 having an interior opening 53, which receives the strip 11, is mounted on the anvil member 48. In some instances it is not necessary to use the guide member 52 and, of course, there are several other types of guides which may be utilized.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rate of travel of the scrap strip I1 and the rotational speed of the circular knife member 40 determine the cut scrap length, for example the length of the piece of scrap 12. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, one scrap cut is made during each 360 rotation of the main shaft 28.

Referring to FIG. 2, during the cutting cycle the means 15 for moving the strip continues to operate and the portion of the strip II between the moving means 15 and the rotary cutting apparatus Ill bows slightly upwardly as indicated by the dashed line position Ila.

The eccentric motion of the circular knife member 40 during each revolution of the main shaft 28 provides a slitting action transversely of the scrap strip 11 as opposed to the impact reciprocating chopping action found in many prior art devices. Referring to FIG. 4, the solid line position of the circular knife member 40 indicates the position of the knife member 40 during its slitting stroke. The circular knife member 40 moves in a transverse eccentric motion across the scrap strip 11. As the main shaft 28 continues to rotate, the cutting edge 43 of the circular knife member 40 and the cutting edge 51 of the anvil member 48 cooperate to slit the scrap strip 11 and the circular knife member 40 assumes its lowermost vertical position indicated by the solid line position shown in FIG. 3. The knife member 40 continues its transverse motion to an extreme position indicated by dashed line position 40a shown in FIG. 4. At this time, the scrap strip 11 has been cut and the cut increment 12a falls downwardly to a receiving container or upon a conveyor. Next, the circular knife member 40 moves upwardly into its feed cycle. During the feed cycle, the scrap strip 11 is advanced by the means 15 for moving the strip 11 into position for the next cut. During the feed cycle the circular knife member 40 assumes its uppermost position indicated by the dashed line position 40b shown in FIG. 3.

Because the circular knife member 40 is free to rotate relative to the boss 37, the entire circular cutting edge 43 is utilized. However, when the cutting edge 43 becomes unserviceable, the bolt 46 removed and removed and the circular knife member 40 is reversed, placing the new cutting edge 44 into an operative position. Similarly, the anvil member 48 may be reversed to place a new cutting edge into operation.

It has been found that a rotary cutting apparatus according to the present invention provides an efficient and relatively quiet scrap cutting operation.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for cutting metallic material which is moved along a predetermined path, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a longitudinally extending shaft having an axis of rotation, bearing means for supporting said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a circular knife member positioned adjacent one end of said shaft and mounted to rotate freely relative to said shaft, said circular knife member having a central axis, means for eccentrically mounting said circular knife member on said shaft wherein such central axis of said circular knife member is parallel to and spaced from such axis of rotation of said shaft, said circular knife member defining a cutting edge adjacent its outer periphery and an anvil member mounted adjacent said circular knife member, said anvil member having a cutting edge in a complementary cutting relationship with said cutting edge of said circular knife member.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said circular knife member defines a central mounting hole, a flange member positioned adjacent one end of said shaft, a circular boss extending outwardly from said flange member, said boss having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of such mounting hole, said circular knife member being mounted on said boss, said circular knife member being free to rotate relative to said boss, and means for retaining said circular knife member on said boss.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said circular knife member has a peripheral outer surface which is parallel to such central axis of said circular knife member, and wherein opposed cutting edges are defined at the opposed outer margins of said surface.

4. Rotary apparatus for transversely slitting metallic strip material which is moved along a predetermined path, said rotary apparatus comprising, in combination, a longitudinally extending shaft having an axis of rotation, bearing means for supporting said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a flange member fixed to one end of said shaft, a circular boss extending outwardly from said flange, said boss being parallel to and spaced from such axis of rotation of said shaft, a ring-shaped circular knife member rotatably mounted on said boss, said circular knife member defining at least one cutting edge on its periphery, means for retaining said circular knife member on said boss, said retaining means being effective to prevent longitudinal movement of said circular knife member relative to said boss, and an anvil member mounted adjacent said circular knife member, said anvil member defining at least one cutting edge in a complementary cutting relationship with said cutting edge of said circular knife member.

H1071 Alon 

1. Apparatus for cutting metallic material which is moved along a predetermined path, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a longitudinally extending shaft having an axis of rotation, bearing means for supporting said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a circular knife member positioned adjacent one end of said shaft and mounted to rotate freely relative to said shaft, said circular knife member having a central axis, means for eccentrically mounting said circular knife member on said shaft wherein such central axis of said circular knife member is parallel to and spaced from such axis of rotatioN of said shaft, said circular knife member defining a cutting edge adjacent its outer periphery and an anvil member mounted adjacent said circular knife member, said anvil member having a cutting edge in a complementary cutting relationship with said cutting edge of said circular knife member.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said circular knife member defines a central mounting hole, a flange member positioned adjacent one end of said shaft, a circular boss extending outwardly from said flange member, said boss having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of such mounting hole, said circular knife member being mounted on said boss, said circular knife member being free to rotate relative to said boss, and means for retaining said circular knife member on said boss.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said circular knife member has a peripheral outer surface which is parallel to such central axis of said circular knife member, and wherein opposed cutting edges are defined at the opposed outer margins of said surface.
 4. Rotary apparatus for transversely slitting metallic strip material which is moved along a predetermined path, said rotary apparatus comprising, in combination, a longitudinally extending shaft having an axis of rotation, bearing means for supporting said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a flange member fixed to one end of said shaft, a circular boss extending outwardly from said flange, said boss being parallel to and spaced from such axis of rotation of said shaft, a ring-shaped circular knife member rotatably mounted on said boss, said circular knife member defining at least one cutting edge on its periphery, means for retaining said circular knife member on said boss, said retaining means being effective to prevent longitudinal movement of said circular knife member relative to said boss, and an anvil member mounted adjacent said circular knife member, said anvil member defining at least one cutting edge in a complementary cutting relationship with said cutting edge of said circular knife member. 